Saturday, 24 October 2009

I popped out to Primark this morning to stock up on tights for Paris as it will be cold, I ended up with 10 pairs! I think I went a bit overboard. And on my travels I found these two necklaces that I couldn't resist and thought I'd quickly share.

Multi heart chain, £3, Link chain £2.50

Also, on Thursday, I went to the River Island sale and only managed to find one thing. This gorgeous brown leather studded bag, was £50 reduced to £25. Happy times.

I have oily skin and I hate it. I've always relied on powders to mattify my skin. Powder before foundation, powder after foundation, powder top ups. A kabuki brush is my best friend, something I always have in my bag just to give a quick brush and instantly take away any shine I may have.

But recently I've been trying out primers, these are the three I have:

I started out with Smashbox Photo Finish Light (middle primer), I got this for free when I was working at Reveal Magazine, so I thought I would give it a go. It claims that it is perfect for oily, acne prone or sensitive skin, this oil free, 60% water based primer refreshes on contact while oil absorbers provide a smooth matte finish all day.

This primer isn't too thick, and it does instantly mattify my face, however I'm still having to use powder with it, I don't know if that is because of the foundation I use? Also I gave up using this, because I had a break out whilst I was.

The next primer I tried was the No. 7 Shine Free Make-Up Base (left). I never normally use No. 7 products because they are over priced, but I had a £5 voucher, so I think I only paid another fiver for this. By the way ignore the weirdness on the picture of this primer, there was in incident with a straightener. On the front of this product it states that it stops shine for a matte finish. And on the back...Keep shiny skin under control all day long, with this mattifying oil-free base. This base isn't as silky as the smashbox, and sometimes when I rub it into my face I get little white lumps of product build up that I have to brush away. Also I find that foundation doesn't really go well on top of it. It's really hard to explain, but there are always problems with my foundation when I use this especially on my nose. I wouldn't purchase this again.

Lastly there is the GOSH Velvet Touch, I happened to notice in Superdrug today that this product had £4 off until Tuesday (27th), reducing it to £8 something, so I thought why not try it? The packaging says that it's a perfect base for all make up. It fills in fine lines and deep pores in the skin creating a uniform, matte and silky soft surface, enabling the easy and smooth application of foundation. This comes with a pump applicator (as does Smashbox), but unlike the other two is clear, not white. I've just tried it out on my hand and it feels really silky, but seems to take a while to blend.

I'm going out tonight, so it's the perfect time to test this product, I'll let you all know how it goes my lovlies!

What are your favourite primers? Recommendations welcome.

On a completely different note, I got a cover for my MacBook the other day and it's PINK! Everyone keeps asking me if I got a new laptop, I love it!

Sunday, 18 October 2009

As many of you will know, for my birthday my boyfriend gave me a trip to Paris as a present, we go on the 29th and for the past month or so I've been collecting my so-called Paris essentials (not really essential, as I'm pretty sure I have quite enough clothes already that I could have taken, but any excuse to go shopping...) I'll add in all the prices incase anyone wants to ask about any of them.

I thought I'd share just a few of the things I have picked up so far:

Two Paris tops, as in my Mum's words when I saw them, I "had to have them". The one on the left is from Topshop (£16), it's a little bit cropped, hence the red v neck vest (£6 or 2 for £9) which I plan to wear underneath the I heart Paris top. And the other top is from Oasis (£22).

Two jumper dresses (I get so bored of wearing jeans in the winter). The one on the left is from H&M (£19.99) and it is cable knit on the top and plain on the bottom and also comes in purple and white. The other dress is from Miss Selfridge (£38) and it has cut out detailing at the front, and a scoop neck at the back. Both of these will be great for the day time, with some thick black tights and a nice pair of boots.

Faux leather jacket with pleat detailing from Miss Selfridge (£45), will look great over this delicate layered style dress from French Connection, I got this dress back in September as a birthday present and have yet to wear it. I couldn't resist the little black sequin beret from River Island (£9.99) and will go perfectly with my new winter coat.

High boots, Primark (£19) and ankle boots, Next (£45)

::MAC HAUL::

This is just a recent MAC haul, only three items, I'm trying to be good.

Nude Rose lipstick from the new DSquared collection is a perfect daytime pink, and a 168 brush. Here's how the lipstick looks on me (no flash), I think it's a new fave. I'll post more about it and do a comparison in my next post.

And finally, I got a 4 pan pallette to take to Paris, so I don't have to take my 15 palette for fear if it getting smashed or anything.

Hope everyone's having a great weekend, mine's been quiet, as we're saving money. We just went out to lunch yesterday and then had a nice dinner, bottle of wine and crisps and dips whilst watching X Factor. I'm starting to really like Stacey...

Monday, 12 October 2009

A few months back I was contacted by Lauren over at 1000 Heads asking if I'd like to become one of their Aussie Angels, of course I accepted and on Saturday night a pampering event was held for us at Adee Phelan's salon in Covent Garden. For any of you that watched The Salon a few years back, he was one of the hair dressers on it.

As quoted from the salon's website, Adee Phelan is an inspirational hair salon that boasts a top celebrity clientele. Be welcomed with a cool, electric yet modern feel enhanced with a line up of acclaimed who offer both traditional and latest in all cutting techniques. The team enjoy catering for all hair types and benefit from exclusive hair, styling and media experience from celebrity hair dresser, Adee Phelan.

I was allowed to take two friends on the night, so I asked Nicola and Sarah, unfortunately Sarah couldn't make it, so it was just Nicola and I. The event was from 7 til 10pm and from the moment we arrived at the salon we were greeted by Lauren and Emma from 1000 Heads with two nice glasses of champagne for us. There was some yummy snacks laid on too.

Straight away we got to go and have our hair done as there were two stylists free. We went through to the funky decorated salon and discussed with the stylists what we wanted done and then had our hair washed with the most gorgeous smelling Aussie hair products. Once washed one of the guys Tom topped up my champagne and my stylist went on to blow dry and style my hair. I asked for volume at the roots and curls at the ends, and that is what I got.

Once we were all done we took a seat, drank copious amounts of champagne and chatted to the PR girls. At the end of the evening Adee came into the salon, and much to my surprise he has a chihauahua puppy which he brought in and everyone made a fuss over.

If all this wasn't enough, after all the girls had had their hair done, the whole crowd of us went on to a bar, where the kind people at 1000 Heads put a credit card behind the bar and all our drinks were put on tab. Jack came and met us and we stayed in the bar chatting to bloggers and left Covent garden at about quarter past midnight,

It was a fabulous evening, and it's so nice to be given something back. So huge thank you's to everyone at 1000 Heads, Aussie and Adee Phelan's salon. I can't wait for the next event, which is a girls night out.

About Me

24. London. Qualified Fashion Journalist. Working in the Sport department at a National Newspaper. Go Figure. Shopaholic. Obsessed with all things pretty, make up, high heels & cocktails. Here to share her thoughts on the beautiful things in life. For events and product reviews contact me at rachel.deegan@gmail.com Enjoy...x